Definition of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act and the benefits available

Section 80C has become effective with effect from 1st April, 2006 as a replacement to the earlier Section 88 with almost same investment mix available in Section 88. Even the section 80CCC on pension scheme contributions was merged with the above 80C. However, this new section has allowed a major change in the method of providing the tax benefit.

Section 80C of the Income Tax Act allows certain investments and expenditure to be tax-exempt. One must plan investments well and spread it out across the various instruments specified under this section to avail maximum tax benefit. Unlike Section 88, there are no sub-limits and is irrespective of how much you earn and under which tax bracket you fall.

The total limit under this section is Rs 1 lakh. Included under this heading are many small savings schemes like NSC, PPF, life insurance, ELSS and other pension plans. Payment of life insurance premiums and investment in specified government infrastructure bonds are also eligible for deduction under Section 80C.

Most of the Income Tax payees try to save tax by saving under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. However, it is important to know the Section in total so that one can make best use of the options available for exemption under income tax Act. This section provides tax rebate not only for the investments you made but also for the expenditures you incurred to acquire various assets.

Besides these investments, the payments towards the principal amount of your home loan are also eligible for an income deduction. Education expense of children is increasing by the day. Under this section, there is provision that makes payments towards the education fees for children eligible for an income deduction.

In 2008, Senior Citizens Saving Scheme 2004 and the Post Office Five Year Term Deposit Account have been added to the basket of saving instruments under Section 80(C) of the Income Tax Act. An additional deduction of Rs.15, 000 under Section 80D has been allowed to an individual who pays medical insurance premium for his/her parent(s).

As given above, the limit under this section 80C is Rs.100, 000, irrespective of how much you earn and under which tax bracket you fall. Also, there are no sub-limits under this overall Rs 100,000 amount. Therefore, if you like, you can invest the entire amount in ELSS or NSCs. If you are repaying a home loan and the principal repayment amounts to Rs 100,000, then you can claim the entire amount as a deduction and thus no further savings will be needed.

All the above must be made from the current year\’s earnings and not past earnings.

Tips to avail the maximum benefits Under Section 80C:(1) Explore the possible tax benefits, which can be availed from every Savings/Investments/Expenditures you do:(A) Savings in Provident Fund:
Salaried income tax payee are usually have a forced saving which are eligible for deduction under section 80C. A fixed percentage of basic salary (ranges from 8.33% 12%) is deducted by your employer towards the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Some employers allow higher deduction towards EPF. Thus, you should first of all check the total amount that is expected to be deducted towards EPF during the financial year. The total amount deducted from your salary will be eligible for investments under Section 80C.

(B) Interest earned from National Saving Certificates:In case you have purchased NSCs during some earlier years, then the accrued interest as per the tables released by authorities is eligible for deductions under Section 80C.

(C) Home Loan Principal Repayment: There is a provision that the payment made for repayment of the principal amount (not interest payment) of the Home Loan is eligible for a deduction under Section 80C if you have taken a home loan and you fulfill certain conditions.

(D) Tuition fee paid for your children education:Most of the young couples and middle aged income tax payee incur quite high payments towards the education fees of their children. The expenditure incurred on education fees is also eligible for a deduction under Income Tax Act, Thus, if you are incurring expenditure towards education fee of your children, please check whether these are eligible for deduction under the IT Act.

(2) Lock in period in case of Tax saving investment/savings plans:Tax saving investments; normally have a minimum lock-in period i.e. the period during which withdrawals are usually not allowed. If the same are withdrawn before the lock in period, these will be taxable in the year of withdrawal. For example, National Savings Certificates (NSC) has a lock-in period of six years, Public Provident Fund (PPF) has a lock-in of 15 years, Equity Linked Saving Schemes (ELSS) has a lock-in period of three years. Insurance policies have even greater period of lock in.

(3) Consider your life goals while making every investment to save tax:You are saving every year and while saving you normally have some goal in mind, e.g. to meet the expenditure on education of children, purchase of a vehicle or house or marriage of your children. Therefore, you should always look at the investments from the angle whether it will meet your specific requirements on maturity. You should also try to diversify your savings in different instruments.

For instance, if you have already invested a fair portion of your money in equity (shares and mutual funds that invest in shares), avoid an ELSS. Opting for an ELSS means a huge portion of your investments will be in equity and that may not be what you want. Small savings schemes are usually preferred by the risk-averse people. Equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS) are a good option to consider for those with appetite for risk. ELSS tax savers are like any other diversified equity fund, but with a three-year lock-in, providing benefits under Section 80C.

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16 comments on “Definition of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act and the benefits available”

Priyesh

February 16, 2009

It is very good information. I have got good knowledge from this blog. Thanks to Gyanesh. Keep posting such information.

Dear Sir,
My son has availed an education loan from State Bank of India, and
recently has joined in a company. The repayment will start from next month. Please let me know,shall we get income tax exemption for the repayment amount ?. Please inform

Only Interest portion of the education loan is exempted from the education loan and it is apart from the section 80C ( 1 lakh Rs.). You goto the bank they will give you the letter about the yearly projection of Interest letter. That your son can submit to the company. If you have more query related with investment you can give me call at 098868 68488

I am a Central Government employee. Tuition Fees is comes under deductions under Section 80 C. Kindly intimate whether other Education Expenses of Children (Children Education Allowance) like reimbursement of school uniform, one set of text books & note books etc is exempted from the Gross Income or otherwise.